 |
|
|
Proteas claim Day 1
Amla following Kallis’ footsteps
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Debt breaks 75-year run for Kila Raipur organisers
The smiling assassin
Tribune Impact
AIIU Handball C’ship
|
|
Kallis (159 not out) notched up his 34th Test century and found an able ally in Amla (115 not out) as the duo put on a marathon 285-run partnership to steer the visitors to a comfortable 291 for two at close on the opening day. It was a remarkable recovery for the South Africans, who were reeling at a precarious six for two within the first half an hour of the contest with pace spearhead Zaheer Khan claiming both the wickets. But that turned out to be the only moments of success for the injury-hit Indians as South Africans not only fought their way back but were in a position of strength on what appeared to be a good batting track at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium. The 34-year-old Kallis paced his innings brilliantly as he mixed caution with aggression, while his younger partner Amla played the sheet anchor's role to perfection en route to his eighth century. Happy with bowlers: Dhoni
Indian bowlers' found little success barring the first half hour's play but skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni today defended their performance on a lifeless track while conceding that centurions Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla put the hosts on the backfoot. "I'm quite happy with the bowlers' performance and Zaheer bowled really well. We did a decent job of it as the wicket is rather slow. They were also a bit unlucky as the ball missed the edge on quite a few occasions," said Dhoni after four of his five bowlers drew a blank in South Africa's end of play score of 291 for 2 in 91 overs on the first day. "There was a bit of turn especially for (leg-spinner) Amit Mishra but the ball did not rip off the pitch. It's not a square turner," he said, trying to explain the lack of success for his frontline spin duo despite bowling 47 overs in combination.
— PTI Scoreboard |
|
Amla following Kallis’ footsteps
Jacques Kallis has to be one of the most underated palyers in the world, for apart from his native South Africa not too many others reckon he is the best cricketer in the world. Any player who has over 8000 runs, 200 plus wickets and more than 100 catches in both the traditional and limited overs format of the game has to be amongst the greatest the world has seen. Yet he doesn’t get the accolades due to him which just goes to show how lopsided the recognition factor is. Yes there are PR guys who can make a small time player look like a million bucks and there are some who wouldn’t even have half his deeds yet get more dosh in the Indian Premier League. Maybe because he isn’t a flamboyant player who takes the attack by the scruff of the neck and wrings it and then walks with arms held aloft in triumph. That’s the kind of player that gets the wordsmiths impressed though consistency with such players is as rare as a solar eclipse. Kallis gets the dressing room back slaps and that is immensely more satisfying than the flashy words from those outside that sphere. It is a sacred place, the dressing room, for international cricketers. It is their sanctum sanctorum and that’s why they guard its privacy zealously. You have to be good enough to earn entry into that space. Once in there, mateship is a given and players relish that bond as they know what pressures and tensions and expectations there are when one represents one’s country. So the applause from the dressing room means a great deal more and that’s why batsmen first show the bat at the dressing room and then to the rest of the world. It is not merely an acknowledgement of the cheers from the dressing room it is also a way of saying 'Hey I am doing it for you guys'. Hashim Amla is following in Kallis’ footsteps. He too is an unobtrusive batsman who goes about his business quietly but effectively. He was the anchor when Kallis started to bat a bit aggressively. He was the one who gave the confidence to Kallis that he was going to stay with him. He was the one who selflessly took the single and gave more of the strike to the more experienced batsman at the other end. It was a partnership that wrestled the ball back when Zaheer had taken a firm grip on it for India. India found itself a bowler short on a pitch that is good to bat on. Ironically they have three bowlers in the reserves. The loss of Rohit Sharma to that needless warm-up of soccer or whatever meant that India had no reserve batsman in the squad and so Wriddhiman Saha found himself making his debut. Hopefully he will show that he can be as handy with the bat as he is with the gloves. India’s selectors though must think again about the compostion of the squad so that they don’t have to face such a situation again. — PMG
|
|
Debt breaks 75-year run for Kila Raipur organisers
Ludhiana, February 6 Paramjit Singh Grewal, organising secretary of the associaton said they could not clear the debt as the sponsors could not arrange for the money throughout the year. The association went ahead with paying the various bills thinking they would generate resources. They, however, could not do so.‘‘Considering the state of affairs, we have now decided to get aside. We fear more debt may mount on us. We will first repay this amount before taking up the task of orgasining the games next year, ’’ said Grewal. Meanwhile, a group of organisers held a press conference here today to announce the dates of this festival. Gurpinder Singh Grewal, Gurwinder Singh and Kamaljeet Singh, president and joint secretaries, respectively of Grewal Sports Association informed that the 75th edition of the games would be held from February 18 to 21. Besides, regular disciplines such as hockey, athletics, kabaddi, wrestling, competition in traditional games will also be held during this mega sports extravaganza in addition to veteran’s race, bucllock cart races, dogs race, mule race, tractor race, tug-of-war, loading and unloading of tractor trollies, martial arts by nihangs, display of rare seen feats of corporal endurance. The position holders in each discipline will the given cash prizes. Famous Punjabi singers will entertain the spectators during the course of the festival. The festival will be telecast live by the PTC channel, Gurpinder added. However, Paramjit Singh Grewal asserted that this was the first edition of games to be organised by the group headed by Gurpinder Singh Grewal. “We would organise the 75th edition of the festival next year as NRIs of the region had assured to bail us out from the current debt,” said Paramjit Singh.
|
|
The smiling assassin
New Delhi, February 6 Among all this, one man sounds the board for the nth time. The ball crashes into the goal, and the scorer has a wry smile on his face, as if saying, ‘wait till the crowd sees that’. For Prabhjot Singh, this is the big moment. He was at the helm of the players’ revolt earlier, and now the prolific India forward has been working hard to be at his peak when the world turns its eyes and cameras on Delhi from February 28 onwards. Q: With controversies behind us, how is the team feeling now? A: Yes, the controversies were a little unsettling, but now the team is focusing on the World Cup only. Being played out in New Delhi the mega event has assumed even more significance for us. The team are in a positive frame of mind. Q: There have been talks of a rift between some senior player and the coach. How true is that? A: There is no truth to these rumours. The team is a united pack, as everyone saw during recent times. The coach has the respect of all, and we have complete confidence that good things are bound to happen to this bunch. Q: Talking of unity, there were talks of groupism in the team. Is there any truth to that? A: Not at all. As I said, the team put up a united front during the strike. That unity can be seen on the field as well and we are keen to put all these negative things behind us. Q: Have you set yourself any specific goals for the World Cup? A: Well, I just hope to be playing well and fitting into the role the team expects me to play. If all of us can successfully do that, then surely we will see good results. This, after all, is a team game and there is no place for the individual. Q: What has been the contribution of Jose Brasa? He was recently quoted saying that a fifth place finish for India was reasonable. Your views. A: Well, you never step on the field thinking that you will lose. But we did not even finish in the top 10 last time around. So we are looking at possible improvement. Rest, about Brasa, well he is a wonderful person who has immense knowledge of the sport and I am sure we will benefit from his experiences. Q: Any thoughts floating in your mind before the World Cup? A: I just want to see people back in the stadiums. I know they want the team to do well, but what I say is just make the effort of coming to the stadium to cheer India. It makes a world of a difference to a player’s mindset when he knows that thousands of people are cheering him on. Lets hope that we don’t disappoint the public, and they don’t disappoint us.
|
|
|
Tribune Impact
Jammu, February 6 The action came in the wake of news report carried in these columns (Getting Roofed Under Up In The Valley), the J&K State Sports Council ultimately gave written permission to organise the championship at the indoor stadium of M.A. Sports Complex. The two-day championship will be held from February 7 to 8. As reported earlier by The Tribune the organisers and players were running from pillar to post to get permission for the above-said stadium. Some of the players from areas like Kargil and Srinagar had already reached Jammu, but, due to denial of permission some of them had returned to their hometowns and villages. “Finally, the authorities have bent down before us and gave us written permission to conduct the championship and use the indoor stadium,” said Atul Kumar, an international referee and Taekwondo coach. He added, “Though the sports council has imposed some restrictions, yet we are satisfied and are happy to play and show our talent to the world.” |
|
AIIU Handball C’ship
Patiala , February 6 Kurukshetra lads won the second place whereas MD University, Rohtak, was third. For girls, Delhi University won the second spot whereas Kurukshetra University won the third place. Surjit Singh of Punjabi University , Patiala , was declared the best player of the tournament. Results of final matches: In Men’s section, Punjabi University , Patiala , beat Kurukshetra University by 44-28 to win the trophy. For winner, Manpreet scored 12 and Karamjeet scored 10 goals. In other match for third place, MD University, Rohtak, beat Nagarjuna University by 34-31. In women section, Punjabi University , Patiala , beat Delhi University , by 33-24 to win trophy. For winner team, Rajwant Kaur scored 13 and Ramanjot Kaur scored 9 goals. In other match for third place, Kurukshetra University beat M.G. University , Kottayam, by 29-27.
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Jacques Kallis has to be one of the most underated palyers in the world, for apart from his native South Africa not too many others reckon he is the best cricketer in the world. Any player who has over 8000 runs, 200 plus wickets and more than 100 catches in both the traditional and limited overs format of the game has to be amongst the greatest the world has seen.
Indian
hockey ace Prabhjot Singh has his eyes firmly set on the World Cup in New Delhi
Jammu, February 6
Nagpur, February 6
